Professor Freedman’s topic title, chosen some months ago, is absolutely on target today as Secretary of State Kerry and the Obama administration struggle to keep the Israeli-Palestinian talks alive. Resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict seems so important to the well-being of both sides, to the region, and even to the broad international order; and the parameters of a resolution are agreed upon by most observers. However, the Arab-Israeli conflict has been turbulent, vexing, and in the limelight for over six decades while playing out variably depending on the key actors of the moment. Professor Freedman has been keenly attentive to the issue over the course of a long and distinguished career, specializing in the Middle East and American foreign policy. He now, for our benefit, brings his deep and lasting concerns, knowledge, and wisdom to bear on the quality and success of American efforts today.

Professor Freedman is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. degree in Diplomatic History and from Columbia University with M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in International Relations. In his long and distinguished career, he has been an Assistant Professor of Russian History at the United States Military Academy, Associate Professor of Political Science and Russian at Marquette University and Professor of Political Science at the Baltimore Hebrew University, including a tenure as President of the institution. Currently, he is a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins University. He is the author or co-author of twenty books and has published innumerable articles. His contributions to public affairs include being a commentator on National Public Radio, the BBC, and the Voice of America, as well as other major American news outlets. His expertise has been sought by policymakers: the United States Department of State, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Israeli Defense Ministry and the Israeli Foreign Ministry. He has also been called upon to serve the United States government on delegations to Moscow, Beijing, Uzbekistan, and Tunis. Professor Freedman is well-known to Council members, having first addressed the Council in 1981 and then on another seven occasions over the next thirty years.